Station-indicator



(No Model.)

J. M. NELSON. STATION INDICATOR.

Patented Nov. 10,1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPII M. NELSON, OF COLEMAN, MICHIGAN.

STATION-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 463,072, dated November10, 1891.-

Serial No. 392,740. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH M. NELSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Coleman, in the county of Midland and State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Station-Indicators,of which the following is a specification, reference being had thereinto the accompanyipg drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements instation-indicators; and the invention consists in the peculiarconstruction of an indicator comprising alettered ribbon or othermechanism for exhibiting the names of the stations successively, a motorfor moving said indicating devices,astop for holding said indicator inits adjusted position and checking the motor, and means for releasingthe lock to allow the motor to effect the change of indication. Themeans which I preferably employ to actuate the lock and which I haveshown is an electro-magnet.

The invention further consists in the application of this device to aseries of cars so arranged and constructed that from anyone point in thetrain all of the indicators maybe simultaneously changed.

The invention further consists in the peculiar construction,arrangement, and combina tion of the various parts, all as more fullyhereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved indicatorwith the front casing removed. Fig. 2 is a section thereof on line a:00. Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the loclgand releasing mechanismtherefor. Fig. 4 is a diagram view of the electrical connections appliedto a train.

A is the case, in which are journaled the spring-rollers B and C, overwhich is wound a ribbon D, passing over a roller E.

F is a spring-roller pressing the ribbon against the roller E to keep ittaut across the inspection-aperture E of the casing. .This ribbon islettered successively with the names of the towns or cities designed tobe shown. The means which I employ to move this ribbon are as follows:a, is a shaft journaled in any suitable supports in the frame. Thisshaft is driven by any suitable motor, such as the spring I), which maybe wound up by means of the crank-handle c, a suitable pawl and ratchet(1 being provided to prevent the rotation of the shaft in the oppositedirection. This spring is secured at its outer end to the gear-wheel e,sleeved upon the shaft and to which is secured a second gear-wheel f.

g is a shaftparallel to the shaft a, carrying loosely journaled thereonthe gear-wheel h. The gear-Wheel 72 meshes with thewheel e and thegear-wheel'll meshes with the gearwheel fby means of the intermediatepinion 1'. These Wheels are connected to the shaft by any suitableclutch-such as the spline 7cadapted to enter a notch in the hub of thewheel and which may be moved into engagement with either the wheel h ort' by means of the shaft 1, projecting through the casing of themachine. The shaft 9 has secured to it the gear-wheel m, which mesheswith the gear-wheel n upon the shaft, which is secured upon the shaft ofthe roller E. It is apparent that if the spring be wound up and thespline in engagement With the wheel h the expansion of the spring willrotate the shaft 9 in one direction, moving the indicator, and if thespline be engaged with the wheel 7; the spring will wind the shaft andmove the indicator in the opposite direction.

G is a Wheel secured upon the shaft 9 and provided with a pin orshoulder H.

I and I are latches, pivoted to the cross-bar J, having guide-rods K Ksecured to their upper faces, which pass through lugs L upon thecross-bar and carry at their upper ends an armature M.

N are springs between the lugs L and the latches to normally hold thelatches in the path of the pin I-I.

O is an electro-magnet. P are the coils, and Q is the Wire-connectingthe magnet with the battery or any other source of electricity.

It is evident that if an electric current is passed through theelectro-magnet the armature will be lifted into contact with the magnet,raising the latches I I and allowing the springmotor to turn theindicator.

As soon as the shoulder H is freed from the latches the circuit may bebroken and the armature and latches will fall to the position shown inFig. 3; but the motor will continue to rotate the wheel G until the pinH is again locked between the ends of the latches. It is evident thatthe locking and unlocking of the wheel G will be effected whether theshaft g is turned to the right or left.

R is an ordinary push-button for closing the circuit, and S is a switchto throw into circuit all of the indicator devices, except the one atthe end of the train. Then when the circuit is completed by pushing inthe button at the end of the train all of the indicators will besimultaneously indicated in the manner previously described.

By arranging the switch and push-button as described any indicator canbe used as the one to operate the signal on the train, or

each one may be operated independently.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In an indicator, the combination,with the casing and indicating device, of a motor for actuating theindicating device, means for reversing the movement of the indicator,and a double latch for limiting the movement of the same governing themovement of the motor, substantially as described.

2. In an indicator, the combination, with the casing and indicatingdevice, of a motor for actuating the indicating device, means forreversing the movement of the indicator, oppositely-inclined latches forgoverning the movement of the indicator, and an electromagnet for movingthe latches out of engagement with the indicator, substantially asdescribed.

3. In an indicator, the combination, with an indicating device, of amotor for actuating the same in opposite directions, and a latchconsistingof two members oppositelyinclined, with which the actuatingmeans engage, substantially as described.

4. In an indicator, the combination, with an indicating device, of amotor for actuating the same in opposite directions, and a latchconsisting of two springactuated members oppositely inclined, with whichthe'actuating means engage, and means for disengaging the latch from theactuating means, substantially as described.

5. In an indicator, the combination, with an indicating device, of amotor for actuating the same in opposite directions, and a latchconsisting of two spring-actuated members oppositely inclined, withwhich the actuating means engage, and an electrornotor for disengagingthe latch from the actuating means, substantially as described.

6. In an indicator, the combination, with the casing and shaft jonrnaledin the same, of an indicating device connected with the shaft, a motorfor actuating the shaft, and a lock for governing the movement of thesame, consisting of a wheel on the shaft provided with a shoulder H, alatch consisting of two piv otal parts for engaging with the shoulder,and an electro-magnet for disengaging the same, substantially asdescribed.

7. In an indicator, the combination, withthe casing and shaft journaledin the same, of an indicating device connected with the shaft, a motorfor turning the shaft in either direction, and a lock for governing themovement of the same, consisting of a Wheel on the shaft provided with ashoulder H, latches for engaging the opposite sides of the shoulder, andmeans for disengaging the same, substantially as described.

8. In an indicator, the combination, with the indicating means,actuating-shaft for the same, and motor for actuating the shaft, of adouble latch for governing the movement of the shaft and a reversibleclutch connection between the shaft and motor, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.v

JOSEPH M. NELSON.

Vitnesses:

J OHN E. HUBBELL, T. B. SIMoNs.

